Minor jump for Grammy nominees

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer

Five of the six albums nominated for Best Reggae Album at the recent Grammy Awards have enjoyed a minor sales spike. This is reflected in the latest Billboard Reggae Album chart.

Ziggy Marley

According to sales monitor Nielsen Music, Ziggy Marley’s self-titled set, which won the award, posted the biggest sales, jumping from 23 to number eight. It sold 167 copies, up from 25 the week prior to the Grammys.

To date Ziggy Marley has sold 13,269 copies.

Even though it fell two spots to number four, Rebelution’s Falling Into Place moved 483 copies compared to 267 the week before. It has sold 33,551 copies.

Raging Fyah’s Everlasting moved up from number 18 to number 20, selling 56 copies compared to 28 the previous week. Its total sales stand at 1,478.

Moving up from 41 to number 28 is Live In Virginia by SOJA. The set moved 28 copies, a slight bump from 12 one week ago.

Another nominee, Rose Petals by J Boog, is back in the chart at number 29 with 27 copies sold, compared to seven two weeks prior. To date it has sold 4,929 copies.

Back on the Reggae Album chart, Fortunate Youth debuts at number one with its self-titled album which opened with 1,714 copies. This is the group’s fourth ‘charter’ and its second number one, following 2015’s Don’t Think Twice.

Last week’s chart-topper, Lost In Paradise by Common Kings, is number two. It sold 517 copies, down from last week’s 3,100 copies.

Christopher Martin’s Big Deal opens at number three with 500 copies sold.

The various artistes compilation Get Soca 2017 debuts at number five with 338 copies, while Rebelution’s Live At Red Rocks is at number six with 198 copies sold to bring its total to 4,899.

Stick Figure’s Set in Stone is down to number seven, while J Boog’s Wash House Ting is at number nine.

Completing the top 10 is Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life, which sold 138 copies, up from 71 last week. Marley’s album has to date sold 11,510 copies.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Atlantic Records severs ties with Sean Paul

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Write

AFTER a decade-long relationship that produced a string of hit singles and two platinum albums, Atlantic Records has parted ways with deejay Sean Paul.

Rumours that the label had dropped the Grammy-winning artiste have made the rounds in recent weeks. Craig Kallman, chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, confirmed the split via email on the weekend.

Asked by the Jamaica Observer if Sean Paul was still with the label, Kallman responded: "No longer." He did not elaborate about what caused the split.

Sean Paul signed with Atlantic Records in a joint deal with the independent VP Records in late 2002 following the success of his song Gimme the Light.

Atlantic released the deejay's major label debut album, Dutty Rock, in November that year. It scored five Top 10 United Kingdom singles and five Top 15 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including Gimme the Light, Baby Boy (with Beyonce), Like Glue, Get Busy, and I'm Still in Love With You (featuring Sasha).

Dutty Rock opened with first-week sales of 65,000 copies and peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200. In the UK, it debuted at number two and has sold over six million copies worldwide.

The follow-up album, The Trinity, was released in September, 2005 and set a record for first-week sales by a Jamaican reggae act in the US with 107,000 copies. It debuted at number six on the UK Album chart and number six on the Billboard 200 Album chart.

The Trinity has US sales of 1.3 million copies and worldwide sales of over 4.3 million.

Imperial Blaze, Sean Paul's third album did not do as well in the US although it was certified gold in France. In the US, it hit number one on Billboard's Rap Album and Reggae Album charts and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the R&B/Hip Hop album chart.

His next album, Tomahawk Technique, was released in January 2012, reaching number two on the Billboard Reggae Album chart and number 30 on the UK Album chart. It went gold in Switzerland where it sold over 20,000 copies.

Full Frequency, Sean Paul's latest album, was released in February.

Source: Jamaica Observer 

Thousands rally against tossing out buggery act; shout out for clean, righteous living

• Stand up for families, fight against greed, selfishness, speakers urge

  

  A section of the large crowd which gathered in Half-Way-Tree for the mass rally yesterday. See report on Page 4. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

Kingston Jamaica - POLICE last night estimated that around 25,000 Jamaicans turned out in their black, green and gold to support the Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation) mass rally in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.

The rally called on Jamaicans to stand up for strong and healthy families, righteousness and justice as well as to resist the homosexual agenda and the repealing of the buggery act.

"I think this initiative is very good because it is important that we have a voice, because a lot of different things have been happening in Jamaica and we have to stand up," said Camille Morrison, while adding that it not just goes against God's will but against humanity, and in terms of homosexuality, biologically "di ting don't mek sense and as such it should not be imposed upon people as if it is something right."

After a short praise and worship session, the chairman of the rally, Alvin Bailey spoke to uniting every Jamaican, church, temple, and other institutions.

"We will do all that is righteous and Godly to accomplish the cause", said Bailey, highlighting that Jamaica is a society that demands respect and recognition of sovereignty.

"Our emancipation means standing up for strong families, our emancipation means standing against the homosexuality agenda, emancipation for us means standing up against the repealing of the buggery law," Bailey told the crowd, much to shouts of agreement.

Organisers said that there would be a series of talks and prayers throughout the evening to make people aware of what is happening.

"The seeds of greed and selfishness have been sown in the soil of corruption in public and private sector," said Rev Donald Cole, in commenting on the state of the nation.

"As a people, we have compromised to crime, violence, immorality, abuse of the weak and disrespect of authority. When young people rape and kill each other we should take a serious look at what they're watching and hearing," said Cole, insisting that the church has faced and is still facing a challenge to be part of the solution in this crisis.

He said that the prophetic voice of the church is often ignored or discarded, yet the church is often accused of negligence. Cole went on to say that in more recent times there has been an attempt to deny and refute Jamaica's laws and that if the symbols of the country such as the National Anthem and National Pledge are acknowledged and honoured, then Jamaica would be a social and economic model.

Cole said that the church will increase its prophetic role and will not be silenced, especially when it ought to be speaking boldly.

"We are standing here today because we want to see the moral thermometer of our nation rise again," Cole said, while highlighting that the process of restoring the old boundary stones of right and wrong, lawful and unlawful and good and evil, should begin.

"Jamaica's children belong to Jesus," rang out the cry of advocate Betty-Ann Blaine, who invited the crowd to shout as she took the stage. She also encouraged the audience to spend more time with their children and go back to the book of Genesis.

"We not gonna mek dem mis-educate our children, we not gonna mek dem misinform our children," shouted Blaine, who appealed to the crowd to make sure that children go back to Sunday school.

Blaine said that there has been a 72 per cent increase in buggery among children and as such "there is no way we changing the buggery law".

"These folks not interested in people like me ... me too old. Is the children them after," stated Blaine who revealed that she went to a funeral of a nine-month-old baby who was buggered and then killed.

She told the crowd that "we not teking that kind of sex education to our children," and urged parents to ensure that their child know that their body was the temple of God and that sex should stay until they have a career and get married.

"The battle is about your child. Let us declare again that Jamaican children belong to Jesus. We are going to fight, dem nuh see me fight yet, we are going to fight for our children, they will not get our children," Blaine said before exiting the stage.

A prayer by pastor Harry Walcott and a speech by President of the Love March Movement Daniel Thomas were among the other items on the programme.

CAUSE volunteers invited people to sign a petition against the repealing of the buggery law which will be sent to the prime minster.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Boom show from I-Octane

I-OCTANE

Romain Virgo

Kingston, Jamaica - AS the curtains came down on the 13th staging of the GT Taylor Boom Christmas Extravaganza at Independence Park in St Elizabeth, closing act I-Octane proved the perfect balm for the chilly conditions.

Buss a Blank, which sent the crowd into a frenzy, was a sign of things to come as the deejay delivered a set worthy of his name. He maintained the momentum with My Life, Bad Mind Dem A Pree and My Story.

It was twice the fun when I-Octane called Versatile on stage for their combination Anything We A Eat. The latter also performed his song Nah Go Be Ungrateful.

Although there were other strong performances, I-Octane's stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Singer Romain Virgo worked his heart out and got fans blowing away on their vuvuzelas. Other commendable performances came from Admiral Tibet, Jah Bouks, Ginjah, upcoming artiste I-Noah, Assassin, Bounty Killer Sizzla and Chuck Fenda.

Louie Culture, after performing old favourites such as Gangalee and Old Before Dem Young, had some economic advice for the government.

"Jamaica borrow IMF (International Monitory Fund) money, a we haffi pay that back. We have the highest grade product that can help pay off the debt. Legalise the herb," he declared, before going into his single of the same name.

St Mary 'brothers' Capleton and Ninjaman were also winners, both spewing fiery lyrics. Always controversial, Ninjaman also took on the role of adviser to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

"Sista P, look how long mi hear 'bout JEEP (Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme) an' all now mi caan even si di tyre!" which triggered another round of blaring vuvuzelas.

The latest edition of Irie FM disc jockey G T Taylor's show drew a solid turnout. Part proceeds will go to charities in St Elizabeth.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

.Source - jamaicaobserver.com

STAY OUT! - 13 JAMAICANS TURNED AWAY FROM TRINIDAD

Action violates Caricom treaty

BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Crime/Court Desk walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

IN a direct breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, and a snub of a recent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Trinidadian immigration officers denied 13 Jamaicans entry into that country on Tuesday night detained them and sent them back home on the first flight yesterday morning.

Some of the 13 Jamaicans who were refused entry, detained and sent back home from Trinidad in direct breach of the Revised Treaty of Chagaramas. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)

The Jamaicans were angry when the Jamaica Observer spoke to them immediately after they were processed by immigration officials at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday afternoon.

They said that their passports were confiscated by the Trinidadians and they were ordered to sit on a wooden bench throughout the night before they were rudely bundled on a Caribbean Airlines flight on which the majority of the Reggae Boyz football team were being flown home after their friendly match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Among those turned away from her fellow Caribbean Community (Caricom) state was Anne Gordon, who was given the task of chaperoning an 11-year-old girl to see her father who resides in that country with his Trinidadian wife. However, both Gordon and the girl were denied entry, despite carrying Caricom passports.

"She cried all night. They just took our passports and told us we did not meet their entry requirements. If her father lives there why did they refuse the child the chance to see her father?" Gordon questioned.

The child was picture of dejection. "I don't see my father since last year," she said.

In a recent ruling in the landmark case involving Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian Government, the CCJ ruled that where a Caricom national is refused entry into a member state, that national should be given the opportunity to consult an attorney or a consular official of his or her country, or to contact a family member.

The Jamaicans said that they were not allowed to contact anybody nor were they even allowed to use their cellular phones to contact the persons who were waiting outside the Piarco Airport to receive them. They also claimed they were threatened that their phones would be seized if they attempted to use them.

"When I gave them the number of my sister-in-law, the woman (immigration officer) pretended to make a call and then told me that it was a man on the other end. While she did that I called my sister-in-law, who had invited me to visit her, and got her. I tried to give the immigration officer the phone but she said she was not talking to anyone," Onicia Robinson, one of the Jamaicans denied entry to Trinidad, said.

When the Observer contacted Robinson's sister-in-law, Gillian Leben, she confirmed that she was not contacted by any immigration official in regards to her receiving Robinson. "I was outside the airport with a taxi to pick her up until 4:00 this morning (yesterday) and my phone did not ring. No one contacted me," Leben said.

The CCJ had also ruled that member states should give, promptly and in writing, reasons for refusing entry to Caricom nationals. The receiving state is also obliged to inform the refused national of his or her right to challenge the decision.

The Jamaicans claimed that this was not done, saying that they were threatened to sign a refusal of entry form or spend the night in jail.

"I did not sign any form and I saw when the woman sign the form for me," said Cassandara Douse, who was among the 13.

For Omar Campbell the denial of entry was particularly painful. Campbell showed stamps in his passport to show that he had spent 10 months in that country and to compound matters he is married to a Trinidadian woman. He showed his marriage certificate to prove his claim. "To make matters worse, yesterday was my wife's birthday," Campbell said with a sad look on his face.

The Jamaicans also complained that they were verbally abused and told they were being turned back because of the recent murder of Trinidadian national Keron Fraser, whose body was found in a shallow grave at Duncan's Pen in Spanish Town, St Catherine, recently.

Fraser disappeared on October 18, two days after he arrived in the island from Trinidad.

Police said that, upon arriving in the island on October 16, Fraser, who was with a female companion, rented a motor vehicle and headed towards an undisclosed location in Clarendon. He was reported missing two days later.

According to the police, a few days after Fraser's disappearance, two men were detained by the police after they were intercepted in the motor car which he had rented. The vehicle had bloodstains, the police said.

In addition, the Jamaicans said they were only given two minutes to use the bathroom when they requested to do so, and security officials followed them to the bathroom.

"They sat and watched us all night and said we are prisoners. Dem don't like Jamaicans and say dem turn us back because we kill Trini in our country," said June Henry, who was visiting the twin-island republic for a three-week vacation.

The Jamaicans also complained that they were extremely uncomfortable sitting up all night after more than eight hours of travel.

"I had to sleep on a carpet, and we got some raw tasting chicken about 3:00 am," Jodian Davidson said.

For years, Jamaicans have complained that they have been subjected to sub-standard treatment at the hands of Trinidadian airport officials and have advocated a boycott of goods from that country as retaliation for the xenophobic behaviour of the Eastern Caribbean nationals.

Jamaica is a major market for Trinidadian goods and a number of Trinidadians have worked and lived in the country without hassle and in accordance with free movement within Caricom.

A passenger who travelled on the same flight with the denied Jamaicans told the Observer that an airline official informed him that last week 26 Jamaicans were turned back from Trinidad.

There was, however, no confirmation.

A security guard at the Norman Manley International Airport said that he had overheard a number of Jamaicans returning from Trinidad complaining of bad treatment at the hands of Trinidadian officials.

Yesterday, Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade raised concerns about the number of Jamaicans who have been denied entry to the twin islands in recent times.

"The ministry is concerned at this development and continues to interface with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago on the matter, including in the light of the Shanique Myrie ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice," it said in a release.

Airline tickets to Trinidad and Tobago cost between US$520 and US$750 depending on when the ticket is purchased.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Deejay Flippa Mafia nabbed in major US cocaine bust

Fall of the ‘Flossing king’

IN an arena known for flamboyant characters, deejay Flippa Mafia certainly stands out even though he does not have a major hit song.

The 34-year-old Mafia (given name Andrew Davis) is also known as the 'Flossing King'. He and eight other persons are facing charges of cocaine trafficking in the United States.

Federal authorities say he was arrested September 16 in Los Angeles, California, as the mastermind of an illegal drug network that operated between that state, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

He was extradited to New Jersey early this month. His younger brother, Kemar Davis, is among those arrested.

Flippa Mafia also faces money-laundering charges.

The authorities say between March and May, detectives recovered more than 26 kilograms of cocaine, worth approximately $780,000, two handguns, and more than $600,000 in cash from Flippa Mafia's associates in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Investigators say this is "a small percentage of the total amount of cocaine brought into New Jersey

by Andrew Davis' drug-trafficking organisation."

Flippa Mafia was known to dancehall fans for hurling hundreds of dollar notes into the crowd during his performances.

After repeating the act at last year's Sting, it prompted talk that he was involved in illegal activity. He denied this in an interview with the Jamaica Observer last December.

"It is not about the hype, but if one is singing about a particular lifestyle his/her actions should portray that," he said.

"I have been throwing cash for years so if that was the case there wouldn't be a need to be doing it now. There are some entertainers who will 'floss' their money, take drugs among other things. I just do whatever makes me happy," he added.

Flippa Mafia said his banquet hall and nightclub in Philadelphia were his main source of income.

Mafia grew up in Waterhouse, and attended Norman Manley High school in Kingston. Some of his better known songs are Unfinished House, Star ah Star and Hear mi Hear.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Sting turns 30

From bottles, fashion and clashes:

By Howard Campbell Observer senior writer

Kingston Jamaica -THE offices of Supreme Promotions were being renovated last week, leaving its head Isaiah Laing to conduct business in an office bare of furniture.

It is the busiest time of the year for the 56-year-old ex-cop. He is gearing up for Sting, the dancehall extravaganza he started 30 years ago.

This year's show will again be held at Jamworld in Portmore, St Catherine. For the second straight year, it is a joint production between Supreme Promotions and Downsound Records.

Sting was first staged in 1984 at Cinema 2 in New Kingston. It was held at the dawn of modern dancehall's digital age and featured singers Sugar Minott, Tenor Saw and Michael Palmer.

The genre's biggest names have played the Boxing Day show over the years. Reputations have been made at Sting, the pride of high-profile artistes have been hurt.

That unpredictability prompted Laing to boldly declare last week that "If Sting dies, dancehall dies."

He uses the roll call of artistes who got their start on his show to reinforce his boast.

"Sting made Bounty (Killer), Vybz (Kartel) and Mavado. It put them where they are today," Laing said.

Each of those artistes have engaged in the theatrics that has helped make Sting a dancehall spectacle. Despite its notoriety, many artistes scramble to get on the bill.

Artiste manager and publicist Ray Alexander believes Sting has helped develop the dancehall brand.

"It's the only show that caters for dancehall artistes and fans. It gives the artiste who does well a lot of exposure because promoters want them, especially in the UK," said Alexander. "If you do well on Sting, you can do well anywhere."

Thirty years is quite an achievement but even Laing agrees that artiste clashes and fans hurling bottles at unpopular acts, has hurt Sting's image.

"Some of the things that happened I wouldn't want to re-live, but that's history," he said.

Super Cat and Ninja Man, two of the artistes who figured in arguably Sting's most infamous clash, are back for the 30th anniversary show.

The former was pelted with 'missiles' during the 1991 renewal at the National Stadium, which led him to threaten a section of the hostile audience.

Many associate Sting '91 with that incident but Laing has fonder memories of that year.

"It was our biggest show, we had 42,000 paying patrons."

There have been low points too. Laing says the 1999 event at Jamworld flopped after headliner Capleton withdrew three days before show-time. He refused to perform once Beenie Man was on the card.

Closer to home, Laing says he has sacrificed a lot to keep Sting alive. This includes the loss of five apartments and a house.

Laing, who is from rural St Catherine, launched Sting after promoting a clutch of successful dances at Spanish Town's Prison Oval and Cinema 2.

In 1984, he was known nationally as a no-nonsense street cop, working some of Kingston's toughest areas.

His moonlighting as show promoter did not impress his superiors at the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It is widely believed that friction led to Laing leaving the force with the rank of detective sergeant after 20 years service.

Laing credits his tenure in the police force for keeping Sting on the frontline, when many of its contemporaries have folded.

"I remember the days when me an' gunman shoot it out, dem get wey but it was back on the job next day. It's basically the same with Sting, yuh have to fight even when it tough."

Source: Jamaica Observer

An I-Octane performance

By Richard Johnson

OVER the past five weeks, the quality of performances at the live music series, Behind the Screens at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records, has steadily increased.

Tessanne Chin, Tifa and Christopher Martin have put their stamp on the series. This week, it was up to conscious crusader I-Octane to bring his mettle and that he did.

By the end of his one-hour set, he had ostensibly purged all forms of ‘bad-mind’ with his firebrand lyrics and showed off his global gyalis” persona.

With such a wide range of topics to choose from, I-Octane gave those gathered real treat.

With his distinctive husky, gravel tone booming through the venue, he reeled off a steady flow of hits, and by the time he chanted opening lines to each, the audience took it and made it their own.

My Life, Nuh Love Inna Dem, Nuh Ramp Wid We, LOVE, Love the Vibes, Study Yuh Friends, Badda Dan Dem, and Come Up Inna Dis had the packed house in a frenzy. With salutes and sounds mimicking gunshots, they paid tribute to the Clarendon-born singjay.

I-Octane turned up the heat just after midnight when, out of the audience appeared deejay Bounty Killer.

His presence stoked the already blazing vibe and when they paired on the popular Badmind Dem a Pree, the temperature rose.

The ‘seven-star general’ would drop one other track, Look Into My Eyes, before departing.

I-Octane closed his set with the somber Lose a Friend, as if to calm the frenzy he had created.

It was a set sans the pyrotechnics and props he normally uses when performing outdoors. He too recognised this, noting: “Mi nuh haffi jump up and lick clappers fi get forward.”

The series continues next week with popular singjay Konshens.

Source: Jamaica observer

Kartel allegedly participated in beating death of 'Lizard'

BY PAUL HENRY

KINGSTON JAMAICA - ENTERTAINER Vybz Kartel allegedly participated in the beating death of his friend Clive 'Lizard' Williams, who, according to the prosecution, was murdered over the disappearance of two guns.
The allegation was made in the Home Circuit Court last week where Calvin Hay, one of the men charged along with the entertainer, was offered bail in the sum of $1million.

According to the prosecution, Williams was a part of a gang in Waterford, St Catherine that was headed by Kartel.
In August, the prosecution told the court, Williams and another man were entrusted with the care of two guns by Kartel. But when in mid-August the guns were discovered missing, the men were summoned to meet Kartel at his Havendale, St Andrew home to give an account of the guns. Kartel, according to the prosecution, was "angry" about the disappearance of the weapons.
On August 16, Williams and the other man — who is now the prosecution's main witness — were picked up in a taxi, reportedly by entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell and taken to the Havendale home where Kartel and other men were waiting on him.
While en route to the house, the court was told, Williams started sending text messages to a person, expressing fear that he was going to be killed and urging the receiver of the messages to call the police.
At the home, Williams and the other man were taken into a room where Kartel, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones were waiting. According to the prosecution's case, Williams was beaten to death by the men who were armed with blocks and pickaxe sticks.
After witnessing what went down, the other man who was brought to the premises, dashed from the house in an attempt to save his own life. Kartel, the prosecutor said, called out to him, saying that it was Williams whom they wanted.
During the melee, Kartel was bitten by his own dog and had to seek medical treatment. The prosecution said it was in possession of the hospital bill and record of the treatment.
Charged along with Kartel, Hay, Campbell, Jones and St John is Shane Williams.
The prosecution said, too, that it has voice recordings of Kartel and a person it believes to be Hay planning Williams' murder. However, the prosecution did not oppose bail for Hay, who is represented by Chris Tavares-Finson, because it has not confirmed that the voice on the recording was Hay's. The recording is being analysed.
The accused men will again appear in court on February 17.
Last Wednesday two men who have been charged along with Kartel for the murder of labourer Barrington 'Bossie' Bryan last year were denied bail in the Gun Court Division of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate' (RM) Court.
The men, Nigel Thompson and Lenburgh McDonald, along with Kartel, will next appear in court on February 3 when a preliminary enquiry into Bryan's murder is scheduled to begin.
Bryan was shot dead along a street in Gregory Park, St Catherine in July.
Also Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and fellow Portmore Empire member Vanessa 'Gaza Slim' Saddler are to appear in the RM court on February 1 on charges of conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The charges stem from allegations that Vybz Kartel sent a text to Saddler, leading to her reporting to the police that she had been robbed by Clive 'Lizard' Williams, who had in fact been murdered before the reported robbery occurred. The prosecution is contending that the report was made in order to give the impression that Williams was not dead.
On a separate matter, Kartel is to return to the Resident Magistrate's Court on February 13 when he will be tried on a ganja possession charge.
SOURCE: jamaicaobserver.com

I-Octane, Virgo shine at GT Taylor show

By Simone Morgan

Kingston Jamaica - REGGAE artistes I-Octane and Romaine Virgo were the two standouts at the 12th staging of GT Taylor's Christmas Extravaganza at Independence Park, Black River, yesterday morning.
Due to the lack of proper time management, some of dancehall's highly anticipated acts got very little or no time on stage. Bounty Killa and his Alliance squad set was cut short whilst Aidonia's performance was less than two minutes. DJ Spice didn't get an opportunity to perform.
When I-Octane made his entrance on stage the patrons went into a frenzy. Aerosol spray torches were ignited and the symphony of horns and whistles was almost deafening.
Among his strings of hit songs delivered during the first 15 minutes set Mind Who Dem A Diss, Study Yu Fren Dem, Burn Dem Bridge, My Life and Loose A Friend.
During his performance, a huge fire was lit in the general section much to the disgust of several patrons.
The torches were re-lit when the Alliance and Gully Squad lead by Bounty Killer and Mavado, respectively, hit centrestage.
"Mi want dem free up Vybz Kartel as mi and him have unsettled business," said Mavado before hurling the lyrics to several hit songs such as I'm on the Rock, Starlight, Whe Dem A Do and Delilah.
Kiprich also gave fans a teaser of what to expect at Sting with the clash with Tony Matterhorn, Merciless and himself.
Before his set on stage came to a premature ending, Bounty Killer, gave his social commentary in such as Poor People Fed Up, Caan Believe Mi Eyes.
Khago, Cocoa Tea, Twins of Twins, Teflon, D'Angel, Macka Diamond, Lutan Fyah, Chuck Fenda and Zamunda gave a good account of themselves.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Gyptian, DJ Frass argument turns deadly

An argument which developed between well-known dancehall artiste Gyptian and producer DJ Frass has left one man dead.

The incident took place at Steven 'Supa Hype' Davis' studio on Dumbarton Avenue in St Andrew on Monday night.

According to reports reaching the Observer, Gyptian, whose real name is Windel Edwards, and Kimani Palmer also known as DJ Frass, were engaged in an heated argument over a song Gyptian had voiced on one of Frass' 'riddims' while at the studio.

According to reports, the argument reportedly became more intense and DJ Frass allegedly left the studio only to return some minutes later accompanied by about six men.

It is alleged that Frass 'draped' Gyptian and then members of his entourage made a move towards the singer.

"Wi nuh know if a part dem did a guh fi part it or what, but maybe some a Gyptian friends think seh a attack dem did a guh attack di artiste and mi nuh know who pop off dem gun," someone close to the parties involved in the incident told The Observer.

According to him, it is said that the first attempt to pull the trigger failed as the gun stuck, by this time some of the men ran, but not before two shots were fired hitting one man.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network, 27-year-old Davion Bailey otherwise called Burro was gunned down by unknown assailants. The police aid that about 5:45 pm, a group of men armed with guns entered the recording studio and opened fire hitting Bailey multiple times. The men escaped in a white Honda motorcar. The police were called and Bailey was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Among the top 'riddims' that DJ Frass is known for are Israel, Shadow and Hot Patty.

Among Gyptian's better known releases are Hold You, Serious Times, Mama Don't Cry and Nah Let Go.

Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com

POLICE LIST SPRAGGA BENZ AS MAJOR PERSON OF INTEREST

• Deejay implicated in Dunkirk triple murder

POPULAR dancehall Deejay Spragga Benz, was this afternoon listed as a person of interest by the Kingston East police. Investigators want to interview Spragga Benz, whose real name is Carlton Grant, in connection with the triple murder last night in the McIntyre Villa area of the Division.

Police have identified two of the dead men as 49-year-old Peter Escoffery, otherwise called 'Stumpy' of MacIntyre Villa, and Kenique Richards, otherwise called 'Runkus' of Lincoln Terrace.

About 11:40 pm, Escoffery and Richards were among several men at a shop watching TV when a group of men armed with high powered guns alighted from a motorcar and opened fire at them. Richards died on the spot. Escoffery and another man were taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead and the other man admitted in serious condition.

The third man has since died, police report.

Grant must report to the Police personnel at the Elletson Road Police Station by 2:00 pm tomorrow, police stated.

Persons with information on the whereabouts of Grant are asked to contact Operation Kingfish at 811, Crime Stop at 311 or Police Control Centre at 119.

Source: jamaicaobserver.com

VYBZ KARTEL ON HIS PUBLICITY STUNTS

CONTROVERSIAL deejay Vybz Kartel has admitted that many of his actions are engineered to draw attention to himself and by extension his musical career.

Speaking in reference to the bleaching of his skin, Kartel noted that "people are like sheep and I am the shepherd, they are easy to lead. So when me seh, cool dung mi face with the cake soap, it's just more fame and more money for Vybz Kartel".

He added that the only thing one can expect from him is the unexpected, explaining that he has changed his hairstyle many times depending on his mood.

According to Kartel, the cycle continues as the set of persons he mentioned earlier never seem to realise what is happening and so they continue to buy into his actions.

The deejay, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, also touched on the issue of payola in the local music industry. He categorically states that he has never offered money to a radio jock to have his music played, noting that he would prefer to quit as a deejay. He went on to highlight that he has never had the need to pay, considering that his music usually makes it to radio anyway.

Source: JAMAICA OBSERVER

BOTTLES, BLOOD AND GUNSHOTS END FOLLOW DI ARROW

• Bounty Killer, Ragashanti run for cover

By SIMONE MORGAN

FOLLOW Di Arrow, which throughout its promotion encouraged everyone to 'keep the unity', had that sentiment shattered to pieces when during Bounty Killer's performance, bottles and stones started to rain on the stage.

The event, which was held at the James Bond Beach in St Mary, came to a grinding halt this morning when Killer took centre stage and started to make a comment on a story which was carried in a newspaper. He did not get to finish whatever he was about to say as at that point all hell broke loose.

Bottles and stones rained down and sounds of gunshots could be heard. Patrons scampered under the stage or just about any other place that seemed safe enough to offer protection from the violent and frightening attack. A cross and angry Killer, who had exited the stage just seconds before, made a sudden return shouting, “Mi nah run, after mi nah play dandy shandy”. The artiste did not live up to his words though, as just seconds later he was seen along with other members of his Alliance team running for cover from the angry crowd.

No one knows for sure if the gunshots were from policemen in the venue or from other sources. At the front of the stage, two men tried to carry a wounded pregnant woman to safety without much luck as dozens of bottles were flying. Dozens of other patrons were seen all bloody, some screaming in anguish while others just cowered, trembling in despair.

DJ Sunshine was seen cowering on the stage with someone kind enough to place a chair over her for protection.

And Ragashanti, who minutes before was urging the crowd to "stay calm", had to beat a hasty retreat as the bottles pelted the stage.

The Observer could not ascertain the status of those injured, as when this reporter made an exit, the attack was still in full force as members of the security forces tried feverishly to quell the violent uproar.

Source: jamaicaobserver

BUJU BANTON WAS FOUND GUILTY ON THREE CHARGES

BY PAUL HENRY

REGGAE star Buju Banton was found guilty on three charges by a 12-member panel of jurors a short while ago.

The artiste was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.

However he was found not guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence.

The artiste hugged his lawyer David Markus when the verdict was read.

Many of the artiste's supporters left the courtroom crying. He has been detained and has had his bail revoked..

Source: Jamaica Observer